Guest: Griggsy’s Gripes

14072011

Remember when I said about guest posts? You do? Good, because it is my honor and pleasure to unveil the first in a series of posts from Griggsy (you can follow Griggsy on Twitter – @Griggsy96). Griggsy and I have known one another for a few years through various channels and he approached me about doing a weekly column for AtC. I was only too happy to give him some space to do his thing. There are few better minds out there when it comes to Pittsburgh sports than Griggsy and I like to think he’s got an interesting outlook on many different things in this world. [EN: Griggsy uses an uncanny amount of ellipsis, too.]

Griggsy will be giving us his thoughts on everything ranging from sports to personal life to politics to the ongoing quest for steady employment. I fully expect everyone to treat Griggsy with the same respect, if not more, than you would treat me with. We will be working together on how to tweak the column over the next few weeks, so bear with us when things may look or seem a little different from week to week.

Without further ado, I give you the first installment of “Griggsy’s Gripes.”

Griggsy’s Gripes

Lesson #1- I am terrible at starting and ending whatever I write.

I have never had the skill that great writers have. They know how to draw you in right away with a great beginning; usually a sentence, but often a paragraph. And then they have a way of writing a great ending, making their work stick with you long after you’ve moved on.

Don’t expect that from me. It’s a miracle I’ve gotten this far, and likewise a miracle you’ve read it.

Anyways, when Walt allowed me to be involved with AtC, I was thrilled to have the chance. Now, I just have to hope I don’t screw it up. I figure I should be able to handle that, right? Right?

Lesson #2- This is who I am.

My name’s Chris, but everyone knows me as Griggsy. I’m a 28-year old who is (pathetically) unemployed at this point in my life. But before you ask, I don’t live in my mother’s basement.

I have my own room upstairs, thank you.

I was born and raised in a suburb of Pittsburgh, went to Penn State University, got my degree in Economics, and returned to the Pittsburgh area. Foolishly. OK, that’s not true. I love Pittsburgh. I’d just love it more if I had a career at the moment.

I am also very self-deprecating. As if you couldn’t tell at this point. But I digress.

Lesson #3- This is where I am.

Like I said, I was born, was raised, and now live in, the Pittsburgh area. As a male of my age in this area (maybe better said, as a person of my age), I am a massive Pittsburgh sports fan. A lot of my focus is on that, naturally. But, that’s not everything. Where I am, mentally, also causes my focus to be on the economy, the government, music, movies, literature, love, hopes, dreams, etc.

Lesson #4- This is why I’m here.

All of the above leads me to what I’ll be doing here at AtC. I have opinions, strong ones, about what the Pittsburgh Penguins are doing, and how my love life is going, and why the government may be killing my chances to find gainful employment that doesn’t include the phrase “would you like fries with that?”, plus just about everything else under the sun.

So, with Walt’s blessing, I’ll be showing up periodically to get my thoughts out to you. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy it, and maybe learn a new perspective on things. Hell, I’ll just be happy if you make it to the bottom of each post.

Lesson #5- I don’t take myself too seriously.

I say this because I expect, and welcome, criticism of all kinds. If you think I’m a moron, tell me, but tell me why you think it, so I can work at no longer being a moron.

Lesson #6- Avoid the Clap.

Jimmy Dugan was right.

Lesson #7- …

Craig Adams is a god, Finns should be your heroes, hockey is the best sport ever, baseball’s starting to gain on football, relationships are hard work, jobs aren’t that easy to find, non-fiction books are better than fiction ones, Springsteen’s overrated, so is Will Smith, Pink Floyd’s underrated, so is John Cusack…..

I enjoyed it the first time I read over it and I enjoyed it even more each subsequent reading. Keep it up, Griggsy. We just need to figure out a set day (or at least decide if we want it to be a weekend or weekday thing).

Oh Griggsy, you had me until Lesson #7… 7.2 to be exact. You know the one. :p
Loved it. Can’t wait to read more. We’ll need MOAR BEERS next time I’m home.
Also, Walt, thanks for embracing guests, you benevolent son of a bitch. Great idea.